Numerous people from Braunau want to help the people in Ukraine who are threatened by war. The Federal Agency for Care and Support Services operates reception centers in Upper Austria that prepare for the arrival of war refugees from the Ukraine. Numerous communities, such as Hochburg-Ach, Moosdorf and Überackern, take part in the campaign and collect clothing and toys for the people from Ukraine. One of the first to take part in the campaign was the Prillhofer family from Neukirchen. “The willingness to help is overwhelming,” says Hannes Prillhofer, SP mayor of the community. After a call for donations on Facebook, his garage filled up several times within a few days. “Families bring bags of clothes and toys. Including new and very nice things. We are currently taking them to the initial reception center in Bergheim, where they will also be distributed to other locations,” says Barbara Prillhofer-Lutz. The Prillhofers are currently collecting: children’s toys in good condition, equipment for newborns and small children (nappies, etc.), unopened hygiene products, clean bed linen and towels and clean clothes in good condition,
“We are happy about the many donations, but not everything has to be donated now. The crisis is lasting longer, the refugees are only coming little by little,” says Prillhofer-Lutz. But it is nice to see that so many small aid networks have formed in the region within such a short time. The two Neukirchners did not expect such a large wave of helpfulness. And they’re not the only ones who are overwhelmed by it.
Many are also turning to the larger charities. “Our camps are full,” says Maria Knapp from Caritas Upper Austria and asks that Caritas stop donating clothes. “We now have so much and don’t even know what to do with it anymore. The actual need only becomes apparent when the people from the Ukraine arrive here,” says Knapp. Hygiene items that are brought directly to the countries on site are much more important for Caritas at the moment. Caritas lists things and donations in kind that are needed on its website. “But the most sensible kind of help is currently monetary donations,” says Knapp. These enable targeted emergency aid to be provided in the war zone and at the borders.
Caritas Austria has been active in Ukraine for almost 30 years. The structures that have been set up make it possible to help quickly. Emergency aid packages with food, hygiene items and heating material are distributed locally and in neighboring countries, meals, drinks, blankets and warm clothing are distributed.
The Volkshilfe also accepts donations in kind and money. Baby toiletries and diapers, feminine hygiene items, bandages, woolen blankets, sleeping bags, battery-powered headlamps, original packaged antipyretic painkillers and antibiotics, as well as blood pressure medication and non-perishable canned foods are urgently needed, according to the website.
Source: Nachrichten
